Kuala Lumpur — Apple Inc. has officially unveiled a historic leadership shift, with longtime CEO Tim Cook set to step down and transition into the role of Executive Chairman. He will be succeeded by John Ternus, who will take over as Chief Executive Officer starting September 1, 2026.
The move marks the first CEO change at Apple in nearly 15 years, ending Cook’s tenure that began in 2011 after the era of Steve Jobs. Under Cook’s leadership, Apple grew into one of the world’s most valuable companies, significantly expanding its ecosystem with products like the Apple Watch and services such as Apple Music and iCloud.
In his new role as Executive Chairman, Cook is expected to remain closely involved in Apple’s strategic direction and governance, while also continuing to engage with global policymakers and key stakeholders.
Meanwhile, John Ternus—currently Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering—will step into the CEO role and also join the company’s board of directors. A veteran who has spent more than two decades at Apple, Ternus has played a central role in the development of core products including the iPhone, iPad, and Apple’s transition to its own silicon chips.
Apple’s board praised Cook’s “unprecedented leadership,” highlighting how his vision and values have shaped the company’s culture and global impact. At the same time, the board expressed confidence that Ternus will lead Apple into its next phase of innovation.
The leadership transition comes at a critical moment for Apple, as the company faces increasing competition in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Analysts expect Ternus to focus on integrating AI more deeply into Apple’s ecosystem while maintaining its strong hardware-driven strategy.
This shift signals continuity rather than disruption—pairing Cook’s ongoing strategic influence with Ternus’s engineering-driven leadership—as Apple prepares for its next chapter in the evolving tech landscape.
